I remembered something i HATED. We went with a friend to clebrate his birthday, about 16 of us to a restaurant in Covent Garden. Some other people came at the end for pudding and champagne, 3 of them.
The person I sat next to bought a girlfriend who spoke no English, so we were all speaking both in english and French, because not everybody spoke french either. It was frustrating telling the same jokes and anecdotes twice in a row, lol She did not know anyone, and I thought it was uncomfortable to bring her to this particular even under the circustances. Then, these same tow did not order a first course, instead helped them selves to MINE! I mean, they did ask, but I could not say no, so I got literally one bite of what I had ordered. They also helped them selves to "tastes" of my main meal and pudding. This was the first time I had met these people.
Normally I agree, tattrat, you share and share a like, but I kind of like to be asked, not told. and I like to have some of the food I ordered; and some of theirs, lol!
THEN at the end, everybody got sticky about dividing the bill, the people who came for pudding and champagne tried to not pay for the champagne, and the two people who ate my food ...saying they were paying less because they did not have a starter. Had it not been my friends birthday I might have said something!
In the end the birthday boy and my husband picked up the excess. Made me hoppng mad. If you come to wish someone happy birthday you kind of don't expect them to pay for you if its agreed before hand we all go dutch. If you don;'t have a starter or whatever, well, I think tough luck. Its a PARTY. if you can't afford it say before you come, or DON"T COME!
Ooh, I am angry all over again about that meal now!